Good Walking Shoes

[weewuvvdisney]

Does anyone have suggestions of good walking shoes. I walk quite a bit each day outside and sometimes have sore feet. Time to look for a proper pair of walking shoes. Right now it is winter and wearing boots doesn't help. Looking forward to spring....

Any suggestions?

 

[LKing]

I like Hokas.

 

[lovethattink]

I’m another Hoka fan. Also Clarke Cloudsteppers flip flops.

 

[The Mayor]

I will also strongly recommend Hokas!! I power walk and developed plantar faciitis, Tried different sneakers with inserts and did PT but nothing helped. Read an article on Hokas and gave them a try. Foot pain disappeared and has not returned, It's been over two years and I'm on my third pair.

 

[weewuvvdisney]

I've never heard of Hokas. Will have to check them out. Thanks!

 

[OKW Lover]

Please don't base your shoe choice on what works for other people's feet!!! Your feet are different.

Go to one of those mall stores that sell athletic shoes and try on a lot of different styles. Pick the one that feels best on your feet. The be sure to wear them during your normal days to get them broken in.

 

[LKing]

one of those mall stores that sell athletic shoes

What do you mean by this? Do you have a specific name of store you like? All of the stores selling running shoes in our mall are brand specific (ex. Nike, NB).

I'm in California and buy a lot of my shoes from Road Runner Sports. For members, they have a 90 day window where you can return used shoes. That way you can walk around for a few days/weeks and return the shoes if they don't feel good. I think REI has a similar policy. @weewuvvdisney maybe see if there is a store with a similar policy in your area. If not, I know Road Runner Sports offers the same return program for online sales

 

[fla4fun]

I recommend going to a store that specializes in athletic and/or walking shoes and trying them on in person if you are looking at brands and styles you have not worn before. Once you have a brand and shoe that works for you, then you can order online. For example, we have a store here called Fit2Run which carries over two dozen different brands of running and walking shoes which can be good for narrowing down the search, in addition to having separate stores dedicated to one brand when you find the brand you like.

Each person’s feet are going to be different, so it’s difficult to take advice for a particular shoe unless you have worn it yourself. I have troublesome feet, so I know what a challenge it can be. Good luck!

 

[weewuvvdisney]

What do you mean by this? Do you have a specific name of store you like? All of the stores selling running shoes in our mall are brand specific (ex. Nike, NB).

I'm in California and buy a lot of my shoes from Road Runner Sports. For members, they have a 90 day window where you can return used shoes. That way you can walk around for a few days/weeks and return the shoes if they don't feel good. I think REI has a similar policy. @weewuvvdisney maybe see if there is a store with a similar policy in your area. If not, I know Road Runner Sports offers the same return program for online sales

I live in Canada so I don't think we have Road Runner Sports or if Hokas are sold here. I will be checking stores here. To add to it all, I have very wide feet. So, not easy buying shoes or boots. Just looking for suggestions. Thanks!

 

[LKing]

I live in Canada so I don't think we have Road Runner Sports or if Hokas are sold here. I will be checking stores here. To add to it all, I have very wide feet. So, not easy buying shoes or boots. Just looking for suggestions. Thanks!

I'm sure Hokas are sold in Canada. It is a very popular brand. I know Hokas come in standard and wide. You say "very wide" so I don't know if it is wide enough for you.

Have you tried Oofos sandals? They are comfortable (for me) as well.

 

[MICKIMINI]

Hokas, Clarks, Sketchers, Brooks, Olukai. Find a good shoe store that will measure you feet. I would plan to try on different styles of all brands you are interested in. If you can buy the shoes with a return policy if you don't wear them outside. Wear them around the house until you find the best pair(s).

I wore Clarks for 30 years until they stopped making shoes I found comfy. When we were in England year ago, they were on every corner in London. I'm guessing they are no longer the same quality, but worth a look. I wish I had my favorite pair resoled but I threw them away...

DH love Sketchers slip ons. Me, not so much. I don't find enough support for my flat feet. He has high arches.

I've had mixed luck with Brooks.

DH loves Olukai, I know lots of people that find them comfy.

Our son (who is a dpt) bought me my first pair of Hokas in 2022 at DS. They are still my go to shoes, but sadly they don't make the style anymore. I wasted $150 on a pair that looked similar but doesn't feel the same.

Good luck!

 

[weewuvvdisney]

Hokas, Clarks, Sketchers, Brooks, Olukai. Find a good shoe store that will measure you feet. I would plan to try on different styles of all brands you are interested in. If you can buy the shoes with a return policy if you don't wear them outside. Wear them around the house until you find the best pair(s).

I wore Clarks for 30 years until they stopped making shoes I found comfy. When we were in England year ago, they were on every corner in London. I'm guessing they are no longer the same quality, but worth a look. I wish I had my favorite pair resoled but I threw them away...

DH love Sketchers slip ons. Me, not so much. I don't find enough support for my flat feet. He has high arches.

I've had mixed luck with Brooks.

DH loves Olukai, I know lots of people that find them comfy.

Our son (who is a dpt) bought me my first pair of Hokas in 2022 at DS. They are still my go to shoes, but sadly they don't make the style anymore. I wasted $150 on a pair that looked similar but doesn't feel the same.

Good luck!

I have found Sketchers and Clarks. They don't always have the width I need. Once the weather warms up, I will have to do some "running" around.

I'm sure Hokas are sold in Canada. It is a very popular brand. I know Hokas come in standard and wide. You say "very wide" so I don't know if it is wide enough for you.

Have you tried Oofos sandals? They are comfortable (for me) as well.

Wide as in for hikers and winter boots (for work as a Crossing Guard), I wear men's boots. If I get them wide enough in women's, they are much too long. Need to have room for warm socks so men's sizing it is. I did see Oofos sandals. Interesting.

 

[CarolynFH]

I have wide feet and have loved New Balance, have worn out multiple pairs over the last 20 years. DD loves Hokas for her wide feet - she’s a runner, I’m not (far from it nowadays!). And for what it’s worth, my podiatrist wears New Balance.

 

[Ivanab]

I love my hey dudes in the park or all birds.

 

[loves to dive]

As others have said it really depends on your feet and the area you are walking in. I used to jog and found Puma running shoes were the best for me for that. I usually ran on the hilly paved streets of my neighborhood. They don't, however, work well if I'm out fast walking in the same area. For Disney I wear Sketchers Flex Appeal 4.0. They have good memory foam on them and I've found they work well standing and walking. I have a couple of different pairs of sandals that work well for being on my feet all day at Disney but I can not wear them if I'm out fast walking. I have a pair of Nike's I wear if I'm doing a walking workout in my basement on carpet. So it depends on the conditions and your feet. I agree go to a sports store and get fitted and then try them out.

 

[weewuvvdisney]

I have found Sketchers and Clarks. They don't always have the width I need. Once the weather warms up, I will have to do some "running" around.

Wide as in for hikers and winter boots (for work as a Crossing Guard), I wear men's boots. If I get them wide enough in women's, they are much too long. Need to have room for warm socks so men's sizing it is. I did see Oofos sandals. Interesting.

I have Keene low cut & high cut hikers for work. Love them. The men's are perfect for me. I'm going to have to go looking for walking shoes. Thanks for all the great suggestions.

 

[Lewisc]

How the shoe fits you is more important then the brand. REI is a great place. Knowledgeable sales people and a good selection of brands.

Between sizes go bigger. You can compensate with thicker socks or by wearing 2 pair.

Some New Balance store have a machine you stand on. It measures your feet.

 

[RickNJane]

DW and I really like orthofeet. It is online and has a wide range of styles. They come with a set of inserts and arch supports that really work well. We have tried most of the brands mentioned here, but Orthofeet is our goto these days.

 

[MrcAec]

I highly recommend Hokas, but make sure to walk with them for a while before going. If you've never worn them, they take a little getting used to.

 

[weewuvvdisney]

How the shoe fits you is more important then the brand. REI is a great place. Knowledgeable sales people and a good selection of brands.

Between sizes go bigger. You can compensate with thicker socks or by wearing 2 pair.

Some New Balance store have a machine you stand on. It measures your feet.

REI? Don't think we have stores by that name in Canada.